ATLANTA — Cody Asche’s season ended with a seven-stitch gash in his chin. Domonic Brown’s ended by being unceremoniously yanked in a double-switch when he ran at less than full speed for a ball hit in the left-field corner.

The Phillies had just two healthy members of their starting rotation as the 2013 season came to a whimpering end Sunday, a 12-5 loss to the Braves that put a shameful 73-89 performance to bed. Ruben Amaro Jr. probably wants to smother it with a pillow and dispose of the remains in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens.

“Everything, I think,” Chase Utley said flatly when asked what needs to be improved. “I think we need to improve on all aspects, whether that be pitching, defense, base running, hitting — all of the above. That’s what we need to focus and get better at.”

Yet for Ryne Sandberg, who went 20-22 as manager after Charlie Manuel was fired in August, this really was the beginning. And even though there were aspects of the Phillies that were a shambles at season’s end, he retained an appreciation for those things that give him hope in 2014.

“I’m excited about (the offseason),” Sandberg said. “Chase Utley was a bright spot this year. He was healthy, steady right down to the end. He had a good September. He ended on a good note. Jimmy Rollins at shortstop is still steady on defense and showed improvement with the bat. I’m anxious to see about the catching situation. I would call it a priority. We’ll see if (Carlos) Ruiz is back.

“I felt like energy and athleticism was needed. We saw some of that with Asche, Freddy Galvis and (Cesar) Hernandez. They got some time and games under their belt. It’s a combination of the veteran guys, some young guys and some possible guys who could come in. I’m looking forward to that process and to be a part of it.”

Those might be the pieces of the roster Sandberg likes, but then there are the frightening parts, like the six pitchers who worked Sunday, none of whom was on the opening-day roster. Injuries to four different starters — Roy Halladay, Kyle Kendrick, John Lannan and Jonathan Pettibone — led to Zach Miner making three starts at the close of the year, including in No. 162. The Braves knocked him around for five runs in 2Ď innings, including a two-run homer by Evan Gattis.

Pitching coach Rich Dubee, whose nine seasons make him the longest-tenured coach on the staff, has been rumored to be on the way out when Sandberg tweaks his coaching staff. The Phillies finished 14th in ERA in the National League despite Cliff Lee (2.87) finishing eighth in the league in the category and Cole Hamels putting up a solid, 3.60 while working 220 innings.

The Phillies will seek to add another established starting pitcher to the rotation through free agency who can fit between those two veterans and work in front of Kyle Kendrick and Cuban signee Miguel Gonzalez. They also need to seek serious outfield help. Although Hernandez’s bat played well (.289 average) during his cameo, the career second baseman committed two unsightly errors Sunday and didn’t show enough promise in center to lead to believe he’s more than an adequate sub in that spot.

After having a huge first half that led to an All-Star nod, Brown’s second half slowed considerably, with Achilles’ tendinitis complicating things.

The Phillies are a left-handed-heavy organization at the plate, and Brown certainly turned himself into a known quantity if the team would dare to deal him for a better fit.

“You never know in this business,” Brown said. “I’m comfortable, but I’m still working to get better every day. It’s been a tough year for us, but I’m going to work as much as I can. I’m not taking any days off.

“It’s definitely mixed feelings. All through the minors and the way I was raised in this system, you’re raised to be a winner.”

He didn’t seem worried about winning when Elliot Johnson lashed a ball into the corner and somehow got a triple out of it in the sixth. When Sandberg came to get reliever Cesar Jimenez after the play, he made a double-switch that pulled his cleanup hitter.

“I just wanted to see somebody else out there in left field.” Sandberg said, who replaced Brown with Michael Martinez.

Asche left the game when a throw from left field by Brown short-hopped and caught him on the chin, meaning the rookie third baseman’s year would end with blood on his uniform and a 2-for-31 slump at the plate to his name.

“It definitely wasn’t an ideal way to go into the offseason,” Asche said, “but baseball will do that to you.

“I’m very grateful to have this experience, for sure. Not many guys get this opportunity to play every day and learn on the fly. I consider myself lucky to have that opportunity. I think I’ve learned a lot from it and it will help me moving forward in my career.”

Barring a trade, he will arrive in spring training next year as the man to beat for the third base job.His chief competition will be 21-year-old stud Maikel Franco, a right-handed power hitter who tore his way through the Florida State and Eastern leagues this year to become a Top 20 prospect.

“I think competition brings out the best in everybody,” Asche said. “Any kind of competitive atmosphere is going to bring out the best in you and make you better. I love the challenge and love that aspect of this offseason. It’s something to keep me motivated and keep me going.”

When the dust settled, the Phils were outscored by 139 runs this season. That’s more than 2000’s 97-loss team was outscored by, and more than the woeful Marlins — who happened to get a no-hitter from one of their bright, young pitchers Sunday.

Still, Sandberg kept the faith for 2014, right down to the final out of this moribund season.

“A right-handed bat would play. Chooch was not here for an extended amount of time and when he was here the offense picked up. So when everything’s pieced together and with some additions, I don’t think it’s that far off, with the guys we have.

TWO THUMBS UP

N Evan Gattis had a season that maybe Darin Ruf could’ve had if he didn’t spend the first half in the minors.

N Chase Utley had a perfectly good season for an 89-loss team.

TWO THUMBS DOWN

N I think I’ve seen enough Cesar Hernandez in center field.

N Dom Brown quietly was pulled after a slow run for a ball in the corner.